EPA calls for a clearing audit

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Published: Tuesday, 30 May 2017 17:07

Monday the 24th of October 2016 saw an article written by Daniel Mercer in the West Australian where he states that the environmental watchdog has raised concerns over the amount of bush being bulldozed across the state and apparently the EPA have called for an audit to ensure sites are protected.

It has been estimated that from 2001 to 2009 almost 7,000 ha was cleared which is an area twice the size of Kings Park every year. The article goes on to say that the EPA are particularly concerned about the cumulative impact in Perth, Peel, Wheat belt and Pilbara regions and that in some urban areas the temperatures could be up to 15C hotter than surrounding natural landscapes.

Mining seems to be all but exempt from clearing regulations provided that rehabilitation follows mining. Both the Felicitas and Fortuna resources have many thousands of acres of bushland that will be destroyed by mining and the effects of clearing may not be felt straight away, but over the 25 plus years that has been suggested for the life of the mines, our local weather is almost certain to change because of it.

I am always amazed at how the EPA and different forms of development work together to supposedly produce the best outcomes for all concerned, but the environment is always the biggest looser with humans running a close second.

In this petition we ask both Houses of State Parliament to protect the Darling Range from “Bulk Commodity” mining within 100 km from Perth’s C.B.D.

Please complete and sign each sheet only once, get your family and friends to do the same and send the completed sheets back to AHMAG, PO Box 111, Gidgegannup WA 6083.

There are 14 spaces on each sheet, if you are unable to complete each sheet don’t stress, merely send them back to AHMAG and we will have other concerned members of the public complete the sheets, prior to presentation to Parliament.